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Niall Quinn on appearing in the photo that 'cursed' the Irish rugby team

The former Ireland striker was part of a picture that has gained a degree of notoriety of late

photo

IRISH SOCCER LEGEND Niall Quinn has joked that he won’t get his photo taken with Irish rugby players “from now on,” after a pictured emerged that has quickly gained infamy on social media.

Alongside Quinn, Henry Shefflin and Sonia O’Sullivan, a number of rugby players who subsequently endured miserable fortune at the World Cup were pictured.

After the photo was taken, Peter O’Mahony, Johnny Sexton and Paul O’Connell all were ruled out of the quarter-final against Argentina with various injuries, while Tommy Bowe was stretchered off in the first half of that game, and Sean O’Brien missed it through suspension, following his punch on France’s Pascal Papé.

So did Quinn say something to curse the rugby players pictured?

“No, the opposite, they actually went and won really well a few days later,” he tells  The42. “They asked us down to speak before the France game.

“Looking back, the France game probably took its toll on both teams. It was a colossal affair. It was like tuning into Gladiators or something, it was amazing. But I really enjoyed (speaking to them).”

Of the suggestion that the photo was cursed, Quinn joked: “Jeez, I’m disappointed to hear people are saying that.

“There was loads of photos taken. That was probably the one they released

“I felt really sorry for (the missing players). They lost the spine of their team almost. Those iconic figures couldn’t play and as a result, we were depleted and Argentina got the benefit of that. It was tough.

“I won’t get my photo taken with rugby players from now on.”

Look out on the site this weekend for a more in-depth feature with Quinn, where we will be discussing Sunday’s big Premier League matches and the challenges facing young Irish footballers.

Sky Sports will be showing three Premier League games back-to-back this Super Sunday – Sunderland vs. Newcastle, Manchester United vs. Manchester City and Liverpool vs. Southampton. Sky TV customers can save over €100 per year on the Sky Sports package by upgrading now. Visit ww.sky.ie for more details.

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